In June 1998, the Albury Gas Company (AGC) submitted to the Tribunal its proposed Access Arrangement relating to the natural gas distribution system in Albury, Moama and Jindera. The Access Arrangement describes the terms and conditions under which AGC will provide third parties with access to its gas distribution system.

This report presents the Tribunal’s draft decision on AGC’s Access Arrangement proposal. The Tribunal has assessed the proposal in accordance with the National Third Party Access Code for Natural Gas Pipeline Systems (the Code) which came into effect in August 1998 following the enactment of the Gas Pipelines Access (NSW) Act 1998. The Code establishes a framework for third party access to gas pipelines. This is one aspect of reforms now being implemented nationally to create competitive markets for natural gas which allow customers to choose their gas supplier.